Records  of  the 
American  Catholic  Historical  Society 


Vol.  XXXI  June,  1920. 


NOTES  ON  A  FEW  OLD  CATHOLIC  HYMN  BOOKS 

_JAN?91937 

BY  JANE  CAMPBELL 


The  American  Catholic  Historical  Society  possesses  some 
exceedingly  interesting  old  Hymn  Books — one  even  bearing 
the  date  of  1787.  There  are  others  dating  from  1791, 
1814,  1840,  1845,  1850,  185 1,  i860,  and  so  on.  The  books 
of  1787,  1 79 1  and  1 8 14  have  been  most  exhaustively  re- 
viewed by  Monsignor  Henry  in  previous  numbers  of  the 
Records,  so  anything  more  concerning  them  would  be 
superfluous. 

Evidently  the  next  oldest  Hymn  Book  owned  by  the 
Society  is  one  published  by  Benjamin  Carr.     Unfortun 
ately  it  is  not  dated,  but  was  undoubtedly  published  in  the 
early  years  of  the  nineteenth  century.     Indeed  it  may  pos- 
sibly antedate  the  18 14  Book. 

The  title  page,  which  is  highly  ornamented,  reads :  "  A 
New  Edition  with  an  Appendix  of  Masses,  Vespers,  Litanies, 
Hymns,  Psalms,  Anthems,  and  Motetts.  Composed,  selec- 
ted and  arranged  for  the  use  of  Catholic  Churches  in  the 
United  States  of  America  and  respectfully  dedicated  by 
permission  to  the  Right  Reverend  John  Carroll,  D.  D., 
Bishop  of  Baltimore,  by)  Benjamin  ICarr.  Price  Eight 
Dollars.  Sold  by  J.  Carr,  Baltimore;  G.  Blake.  Philadel- 
phia; J.  Hewitt,  New  York  and  F.  Mallet,  Boston." 

Benjamin  Carr  came  to  Philadelphia  about  1793  and  prob- 
ably opened  a  music  store  soon  after  his  arrival,  on  Market 
St.  It  was  known  as  Carr's  Musical  Repository.  Blake's 
music  store  was  at  Third  and  Market  before  1800.  About 
18 1 4  or  '15  he  moved  to  Fifth  Street  and  conducted  his 
music  store  there  until  he  died  in  1851.  The  Philadelphia 
Bourse  covers  the  site  of  the  store. 


isxi 


130  American-  Catholic  Historical  Society 

In  the  absence  of  any  date  on  the  music  book  in  question 
it  is  impossible  to  determine  the  year  of  its  publication. 
It  is  called  a  new  edition,  so  there  may  have  been  an  earlier 
one.  It  is  dedicated  to  the  Right  Reverend  John  Carroll, 
Bishop  of  Baltimore.  Bishop  Carroll  was  not, made  an 
Archbishop  until  1808;  he  died  in  1817. 

The  preface  of  this  hymn  book,  which  is  musically  of 
great  interest,  is  quite  lengthy,  the  concluding  paragraph 
being:  "  I  should  be  ungrateful  were  I  to  conclude  without 
offering  my  grateful  acknowledgements  to  those  who  have 
kindly  patronized  this  undertaking,  particularly  to  the  Right 
Reverend  Dr.  John  Carroll,  the  worthy  and  respected  Bishop 
of  Baltimore;  the  Reverend  Clergy  in  general,  the  managers 
of  St.  Mary's  Church  and  to  those  respectable  names  who 
form  the  list  of  subscribers;  likewise  to  my  friend  Mr. 
Rayner  Taylor,  who,  with  a  liberality  that  always  accom- 
panies real  merit,  has  enriched  the  collection  with  some  of 
his  compositions,  and  in  many  instances  I  am  indebted  to 
his  judgment  and  experience  in  this  my  first  essay  in 
Church  music.  To  the  directors  and  singers  of  those 
Choirs  who  have  made  selection  of  this  work  my  thanks  are 
also  due.     B.  Carr." 

The  list  of  "  respectable  names "  is  as  follows.  St. 
Augustine's  Church  10  copies,  Mr.  John  Ashley,  Mr.  Joseph 
Azan,  Mr.  John  Angue,  Rev.  T.  Beeston.  Baltimore;  Mrs. 
Mary  D.  Bourgeois,  Mr.  James  Byrne,  Mr.  Peter  Brien, 
Right  Rev.  John  Carroll,  D.  D.,  Bishop  of  Baltimore,  8 
copies,  Rev.  Matthew  Carr,  V.  G.,  Mr.  John  Carel,  Mr. 
Hugh  Christy,  Timothy  Collins,  J.  Carr.  Music  Store, 
Baltimore,  6  copies,  T.  Carr,  Music  Store.  Baltimore;  J. 
Cole,  Music  Store,  Baltimore;  Rev.  W.  Du  Bourg,  Presi- 
dent of  St.  Mary's  College,  Baltimore.  3  copies.  Mr.  John 
Dennison,  Richard  Delahurst,  Timothy  Desmond,  Joseph 
Durney,  Matthew  Dunn,  Rev.  Michael  Egan,  Rev,  Paul 
Eratzen.    Mr.    Lawrence    Ennis.    Mr.    James    Egan.     Mr. 


Notes  on  a  Few  Old  Catholic  Hymn  Books       131 

Michael  Fagan,  Mrs.  Ann  M.  Gallagher,  Mr.  John  Gart- 
land,  Rev.  Michael  Hurley,  Mr.  Thomas  Hurley,  Jr.,  Mr. 
Isaac  Hozey,  Anthony  Heman,  Joseph  Herbert,  Balti- 
more, Miss  Jardine,  Liverpool,  England;  Rev.  Patrick 
Kenny;  Mr.  George  Kuhn,  Miss  Lelanne;  St.  Mary's 
Church,  12  copies;  Mrs.  Montgomery.  Mrs.  Mallon  3 
copies.  Count  A.  E.  V.  De  Mun,  Baltimore,  Mr.  Joseph 
Myers,  Thomas  McClean,  William  Mulcahy;  Simon  Miller; 
C.  Mieneke,  Baltimore;  Mr.  Christopher  O'Connor; 
Charles  O'Hara;  Madame  de  Peltier,  Baltimore;  Mr. 
Charles  Parmantier;  Mrs.  Rivardi; — Radamaker,  Esq., 
Consul  from  Portugal;  Rev.  John  Rosseter;  M.  John  Rud- 
olph; John  Reily;  Lewis  Ryan;  A.  Reinagle;  I.  Risdel, 
Lancaster;  Dr.  I.  E.  Stock,  Bristol,  England;  Mr.  Thomas 
Stock,  Bristol,  England;  Peter  Scravendyke;  Francis 
Soaren;  Thomas  Shortall;  Philip  Smith;  Joseph  Snyder; 
I.  G.  C.  Schetky,  Edinboro;  Miss  E.  Taws;  Mr.  John 
Troubet;  Rayner  Taylor;  David  Taylor,  London;  George 
Taylor,  London;  Mr.  James  Wicham;  David  Williamson, 
Baltimore;  Marquis  de  Casa  Yruso;  Envoy  Extraordinary 
and  Minister  Plenipotentiary  from  Spain. 

The  index  indicates  the  style  of  music  which  Carr,  who 
was  a  most  accomplished  musician,  thought  suitable  for  use 
in  the  Catholic  Church — Agnus  Dei  in  3  parts;  and  Agnus 
Dei  in  2  parts;  Alma  Redemptoris;  Ave  Regina;  Adeste 
Fideles;  Ave  Maria;  Ave  Verum;  Anthems  for  Christmas 
and  Easter;  Acquaint  Thyself  With  God;  Benediction  in 
3  parts,  also  in  2  parts — ;  Beatus  vir  qui  timet;  Before 
Jehovah's  Awful  Throne;  But  Thou  Didst  Not  Leave ; 
Credo  in  3  parts,  another  in  2  parts.  Confitebor  tibi 
Domine;  Caro  Mea;  Come  Sound  His  Praise  Abroad; 
Children  of  the  Heavenly  King;  Deus  in  Adjutorium; 
Dixit  Dominus;  Gloria  in  3  and  2  parts;  Gloria  Patri  in 
Latin  and  English;  Grateful  Notes;  Great  Jehovah,  God 
of  Glory ;  Hark,  How  the  Watchmen  Cry ;  Hear  My  Prayer ; 


132  American  Catholic  Historical  Society 

Hymn  for  Whitsunday;  Hither  Ye  faithful;  Hymn  to  St. 
Augustine;  I  Know  That  My  Redeemer  Liveth;  Kyrie 
Eleison  in  3  and  2  parts;  Litany  ditto;  Laudate  Pueri 
Dominum;  Laudate  Dominum;  Levavi  Oculos  Meos;  Mass 
in  3  and  2  parts ;  Magnificat ;  Magne  Pater ;  My  Song  Shall 
Be  of  Mercy;  Non  Nobis  Domine;  O  Sanctissima;  O 
Salutaris;  O  Come  Loud  Anthems;  Our  Lord  is  Risen; 
Pange  Lingua;  Psalms  109,  no,  in,  112,  116;  Portuguese 
Hymn  for  Christmas;  Pious  Orgies;  Prayer  for  the  Com- 
monwealth; Regina  Coeli;  Sanctus  in  3  and  2  parts.  Salve 
Regina;  Stabat  Mater;  Sicilian  Hymn;  Select  Pieces  for 
the  Organ;  Save  O  Lord;  Spirit  Creator  of  Mankind; 
Tantum  ergo  in  3 'and  2  parts;  Thou  Shalt  Shew;  There 
were  Shepherds;  Te  Deum;  Vespers;  Veni  Creator;  We 
Praise  Thee  O  God. 

The  Vespers  were  composed  by  R.  Taylor  and  B.  Car- 
with  Selections  from  Purcell,  Webbe  and  others. 

The  Alma  Redemptoris  was  by  Webbe,  an  Englishman 
who  composed  anthems,  masses,  songs  and  glees.  His 
setting  of  this  hymn  was  sung  for  many  years  in  Catholic 
choirs. 

Carr  composed  the  music  of  the  Ave  Regina  which  also 
was  in  general  use  for  years. 

Regina  Coeli  was  set  to  a  beautiful  if  ornate  air  of  a 
Song  of  Purcell,  an  English  composer — "  Come  Dance 
Upon  These  Yellow  Sands." 

"  Before  Jehovah's  Awful  Throne  "  was  the  composition 
of  an  English  minister,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Madan. 

The  hymn  "  Children  of  the  Heavenly  King "  was  set 
to  Pleyel's  Music.  This  hymn  was  very  popular  in  all  the 
early  hymn  books.  The  words  were  written  by  John  Cen- 
nick,  a  Moravian  minister,  who  also  wrote  that  other  popu- 
lar hymn  "Lo,  He  Comes  With  Clouds  Descending." 

"  Hark,  hark  how  the  Watchmen  Cry "  was  set  to 
music  by  Rayner  Taylor,  as  were  a  number  of  the  other 
numbers. 


Notes  on  a  Few  Old  Catholic  Hymn  Books       133 

"  But  Thou  Didst  Not  Leave  the  Soul  in  Hell "  and  "  I 
Know  That  My  Redeemer  Liveth  "  were  both  selected  from 
Handel's  Messiah;  "  Praise  the  Lord  With  Cheerful  Noise " 
is  also  by  Handel. 

Other  composers  whose  music  was  used  were  Dr.  Arnold, 
Koseluch,    Barbandt,    Kent,    Greene,    Correlli,    Bird    and 
Haydn. 
A  Te  Deum  in  English  was  Carr's  own  composition. 

The  "  Non  Nobis  Domine"  was  written  by  that  fine 
musician,  Dr.  John  Bird. 

The  next  oldest  hymn  book  in  the  possession  of  the 
Society  was  published  in  1840  in  New  York  by  D.  and  J. 
Sadlier  and  Co.  Although  published  in  New  York,  the 
title  page  states  that  it  was  prepared  for  use  in  the  Diocese 
of  Boston. 

It  is  "  The  Morning  and  Evening  Service  of  the  Catholic 
Church,  comprising  a  choice  collection  of  Gregorian  and 
other  Masses,  Litanies,  Psalms,  Sacred  Hymns,  Anthems, 
Versicles  and  Motetts.  Selected  and  newly  arranged  from 
the  Compositions  of  the  First  Masters.  For  the  use  of  the 
Diocese  of  Boston.  Compiled  and  Respectfully  Dedicated 
to  the  Rt.  Rev.  Dr.  Fenwick  By  R.  Garbett." 

The  preface  of  the  book  states  that  the  work  was  com- 
piled by  the  direction  and  under  the  immediate  inspection 
of  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Fenwick,  Bishop  of  Boston.  The 
book  is  very  comprehensive.  There  are  several  Masses 
given,  one  in  A  by  Webbe,  also  one  in  C  Major  by  the  same 
composer.  A  Mass  in  F  by  Dumonte;  the  Missa  Regia 
Gregorian,  by  Dumont;  A  Gregorian  Mass  for  the  Dead; 
the  Lamentations  for  Holy  Week;  three  Litanies  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin;  Vespers,  the  hymns  for  all  the  Church 
festivals ;  and  a  great  variety  of  other  hymns. 

Of  course  the  famous  Church  hymns  are  all  to  be  found 
in  the  book.     Webbe's  Alma  Redemptoris  and  Carr's  Ave 


134  America) i  Catholic  Historical  Society 

Regina  are  among  them.  The  two  well-known  Hymns  to 
the  Virgin  which  were  written  by  the  English  poetess,  Mrs. 
Felicia  Hemans'  "Ave  Sanctissima !  "  and  "Fading,  Still 
Fading,"  are  given.  The  music  to  which  this  last  was  sung 
for  many  years  was  composed  by  Wiesenthal.  In  this 
1840  hymn  book  the  last  lines  of  the  second  stanza  which 
in  the  original  are 

"  Let  us  sleep  on  thy  breast  while  the  night  taper  burns 
And  wake  in  thy  arms  when  the  morning  returns." 

have  been  replaced  by 

11  Keep  us  while  watching,  in  sleep  us  defend, 
That  with  Christ  we  may  watch,  and  find  rest  in  the  end." 

The  lines  are  in  quotation  marks  and  are  certainly  no  im- 
provement on  the  words  of  the  authoress. 

The  "Ave  Maris  Stella,"  so-called  "Columbus  Hymn," 
which  tradition  avers  was  the  first  Christian  hymn  sung  in 
the  New  World,  and  which  the  Spanish  mariners  sang  every 
night  on  their  momentous  voyage,  is  here  with  the  transla- 
tion beginning  "  Bright  Mother  of  our  Maker,  Hail ! " 

The  Sicilian  Hymn  to  the  Virgin,  or  the  Hymn  of  th^ 
Sicilian  Mariners  is  also  seen  on  the  pages  of  this  1840 
hymn  book,  "O  Sanctissima,  O  Purissima!"  A  curious 
fact  about  this  hymn  is  that  for  over  a  century  the  air  was 
popular  in  Protestant  hymn  books,  though  of  course  with 
totally  different  words.  It  is  called  The  Sicilian  Hymn  or 
sometimes  Sicily.  The  best  known  version  is  probably  that 
commencing  "  Lord,  dismiss  us  with  Thy  blessing." 

That  justly  favorite  hymn,  "Jesus  Lover  of  my  Soul," 
is  found  in  this  book,  as  indeed  it  is  in  most  Catholic  hymn 
books.  The  word  "  Lover  "  though  has  been  unaccountably 
displaced  by  "  Saviour." 

The  hymn  was  written  about  1740  by  Charles  Wesley,  a 
Methodist  Clergyman.  Our  Catholic  hymn  books  give  but 
two  stanzas,  though  there  are  four  altogether. 


Notes  on  a  Few  Old  Catholic  Hymn  Books       135 

Pope's  "  Vital  Spark  of  Heavenly  Flame '"  is  here  set  to 
music,  and  here  also  is  Dr.  Isaac  Watts'  stirring  "  Come 
Sound  His  Praise  Abroad !  " 

There  are  several  hymns  in  French  at  the  end  of  this  fine 
collection,  which  altogether  has  some  two  hundred  numbers, 
making  a  rather  extensive  volume. 

In  1845  John  Murphy  published  in  Baltimore  a  most 
attractive  little  hymn  book,  a  copy  of  which  is  owned  by  the 
Society.  There  is  not  a  great  deal  of  music  in  it,  only 
twenty-three  melodies  being  given,  but  the  words  of  very 
many  hymns  culled  from  various  sources  are  set  down. 
There  are  a  large  number  of  translations  from  the  Latin  of 
(the  famous  Church  hymns  as  well  as  others  from  more 
modern  sources,  both  Catholic  and  Protestant. 

Cennick's  "  Children  of  the  Heavently  King,"  Watts 
"  Come  Sound  His  Praise  Abroad,"  Wesley's  "  Soldiers  of 
Christ  Arise"  and  "Jesus  Savior  (Lover)  of  My  Soul" 
and  Newton's  "  Glorious  Things  of  thee  are  spoken  "  are 
gleanings  from  Protestant  authors,  These  are  few,  how- 
ever, compared  to  the  mass  of  beautiful  hymns  which  owe 
their  origin  to  Catholic  writers. 

Thus  in  this  little  book  will  be  found  St.  Bernard's 
"  Jesu  Dulcis  Memoria "  in  Caswall's  English  version 
"  Jesus  the  Only  Thought  of  Thee,"  and  the  Hymn 

"  Thee  Sovereign  God,  our  grateful  accents  praise 
We  own  Thee  Lord,  and  bless  Thy  wondrous  ways." 

which  has  been  in  use  since  the  sixth  century. 

"  O  Great  Creator  of  the  Light."  written  by  St.  Gregory 
in  the  fifth  century;  the  Hymn  to  St.  Cecilia  "Let  the 
Deep  Organ  Swell  the  Lay,"  by  the  Rev.  C.  C.  Pise; 
Thomas   Moore's 

"  Thou  art,  O  God,  the  life  and  light 
Of  all  this  wondrous  world  we  see," 


136  American  Catholic  Historical  Society 

and  a  long  list  of  other  hymns,  too  numerous  indeed  even  to 
mention. 

In  1850  Henry  McCrath,  No.  1  S.  Eighth  St.  Phila- 
delphia, published  "  A  Catholic  Sunday  School  Hymn  Book. 
Consisting  of  Hymns  contained  in  the  Manual  of  the 
Sodality,  and  a  Selection  of  Other  Hymns  Adapted  to 
Children."  The  copy  of  this  book  in  the  possession  of  the 
Society  is  the  "  Fourth  Edition,  Enlarged,"  and  the  little 
work  was  "  respectfully  dedicated  to  the  Children  of  the 
Catholic  Sunday  School  throughout  the  United  States  by 
the  Publisher." 

As  in  all  Catholic  hymn  books  the  regular  hymns  of  the 
Church  are  given,  but  no  music.  A  second  part,  however, 
published  in  185 1  and  incorporated  with  the  edition  of  1850, 
does  give  the  music.  The  compiler  announced  he  had  "  se- 
lected from  various  sources,  but  particularly  from  the  cele- 
brated "  Canticles  Saint  Sulpice,"  (now  used  in  the  Church 
for  more  than  a  century)  the  choicest  airs,  and  arranged 
them  to  our  English  and  Latin  poetry. 

The  beautiful  hymns  to  the  Holy  Chost  come  first  in  that 
collection,  next  "  hymns  for  Holy  Communion,  Hymns  of 
Joy  and  Praise,  For  Festivals.  In  Honor  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin,  of  the  Angels  and  Saints,"  and  some  few  miscel- 
laneous hymns. 

The  music  selected  was  of  a  wide  range,  and  the  popular 
secular  airs  of  the  day  were  occasionally  called  into  re- 
quisition.    Thus   the   hymn   beginning 

"  What  happiness  can  equal  mine  ? 
I've  found  the  object  of  my  love,"  etc. 

is  set  to  the  familiar  air  known  as  "  Days  of  Absence." 

The  once  popular  air  which  everyone  knew  and  sang 
"  Meet  Me  By  Moonlight  Alone  "  is  inappropriately  used 
for  the  hymn : 


Notes  on  a  Few  Old  Catholic  Hymn  Books       137 

"Take  me  My  Jesus,  to  heav'n, 
To  the  land  of  unchangeable  love." 

To  the  exceedingly  fine  and  dignified  air  of  the  Austrian 
National  Hymn  composed  by  Haydn  was  sung 

"  Saving  Host,  we  fall  before  Thee, 
Trusting  in  Our  Saviour's  word." 

"  I'll  Hang  my  Harp  on  a  Willow  Tree,"  that  plaint  of  a 
disconsolate  lover,  was  thought  suitable  for  the  Hymn 

"  Hail  Mary,  Queen  and  Virgin  Pure, 
With  every  grace  replete." 

A  most  beautiful  Italian  air,  "  Benedetta  sia  la  Madre," 
which  was  sung  in  the  Public  Schools  of  Philadelphia  sixty 
years  ago,  to  the  words  beginning 

"  Who  shall  sing  if  not  the  children?  " 

was  utilized  for 

"  O,  blest  fore'er  the  Mother 
And  Virgin  full  of  grace." 

though  this  hymn  was  also'  sung  somewhat  later  than  the 
date  of  this  little  hymn  book  to  an  entirely  different  melody. 
For 

"  Ah  Mary,  My  Mother,  thou  friend  of  my  bosom, 
Methinks  I  behold  thee  in  beauty  arrayed." 

was  used  the  sprightly  air  "Life  let  us  cherish."     Later, 
however  another  melody  was  appropriated  for  this  hymn 
The  hymn 

"  Hail  to  the  Mistress  of  the  skies, 
The  Queen  of  seraphs  bright, 
Our  hope  in  gloom,  Maria  rise 
And  guide  us  on  to  light." 

was  sung  to  a  pretty  melody  which  was  a  favorite  in  the 


138  American  Catholic  Historical  Society 

public  schools,  "  Happy  Land,  Happy  Land,"  composed 
by  Rimbault.  Quite  a  number  of  other  melodies  set  to 
the  words  of  hymns  bear  traces  of  their  secular  origin. 

The  book  is  well  printed,  the  music  especially  so,  and 
no  doubt  it  was  much  prized  by  the  children  of  the  Catholic 
Sunday  schools  to  whom  it  was  dedicated. 

The  year  185 1  also  saw  the  publication  by  Dunigan  and 
Brother  in  New  York  of  the  "  Lyra  Catholica,  containing 
all  the  Hymns  of  the  Roman  Breviary  and  Missal  with 
Others  from  Various  Sources,  Arranged  for  Every  Day 
an  the  Week,  and  the  Festivals  and  Saints  days  Through- 
out the  Year.  With  a  Selection  of  Hymns,  Anthems  and 
Sacred  Poetry,  from  Approved  Sources." 

The  preface  to  the  American  edition  of  "  Lyra  Catholica  " 
gives  a  fair  idea  of  the  scope  of  the  work,  for  it  says  in 
part:  "While  adequate  translations  have  opened  wholly 
or  in  great  part,  to  the  other  languages  of  modern  Europe, 
the  entire  range  of  the  finest  sacred  poetry  that  ever  flowed 
from  uninspired  pens,  in  the  pages  of  the  Roman  Breviary 
and  Missal ;  and  even  while  the  value  of  those  compositions 
for  the  purpose  of  private  devotion  has  been  strikingly  at- 
tested by  more  than  one  attempt  to  embody  them  into'  the 
collections  of  other  denominations, — they  have  been  known  to 
our  own  tongue  by  a  few  scattered  versions,  made  at  var- 
ious periods,  without  any  unity  or  purpose,  of  which  it  may 
with  entire  truth  be  said,  that  they  were,  with  few  excep- 
tions, wholly  inadequate  in  point  of  style,  almost  always 
inelegant,  and  quite  frequently  so  rude  as  to  border  on 
the  grotesque. 

"  The  first  systematic  and  successful  attempt  to  remedy 
a  defect  so  remarkable,  was  the  "  Lyra  Catholica  "  of  Ed- 
ward Caswall,  M.  A. ;  one  of  the  zealous  and  accomplished 
men  whom  the  present  religious  movement  in  England  is 
continually  bringing  into  the  fold  of  Christ.     His  version 


Notes  on  a  Few  Old  Catholic  Hymn  Books       139 

(Collection^  published  in  London  in  1849)  comprises  all 
the  Hymns  of  the  Roman  Breviary,  all  the  Hymns  and 
Sequences  of  the  Missal,  with  a  selection  from  the  Breviar- 
ies of  Paris  and  Cluny,  and  from  the  Italian  Raccolta  delle 
Indulgence.  Of  these  pieces  every  one  is  newly  translated 
by  Mr.  Caswall,  and  probably  more  than  half  of  them  ap- 
pear in  English  for  the  first  time  from  his  hand." 

"  A  very  great  merit  of  Mr.  Caswell's  collection  is  its  com- 
pleteness. Catholics  need  not  be  told  that  any  mere 
arbitrary  selection  of  a  portion  of  the  Hymns  of  the  Bre- 
viary, of  the  Missal,  a  portion  of  the  Sequences,  involves 
in  itself  a  contradiction  and  an  injury.  Not  that  many  of 
these  compositions  are  wanting  in  poetical  and  devotional 
beauties  of  a  very  high  order.  But  the  Hymns  of  the 
Breviary  office  of  the  Church,  for  instance,  though  the  work 
of  many  hands,  the  production  of  different  times,  and  the 
offspring  of  various  circumstances  and  occasions,  form  now, 
as  presented  to  us  by  the  Church,  a  harmonious  and  con- 
nected whole ;  of  which  no  part,  even  the  smallest,  is  with- 
out its  settled  purpose  and  significance — hidden  and  mystical 
it  may  be,  but  all  contributing  to  the  general  fitness  and 
beauty — none  of  which  can  be  separated  without  damage 
to  itself  and  to  the  unity  of  the  design. 

"  Mr.  Cas wall's  collection  comprises  not  only  the  Hymns 
of  Vespers,  but  those  of  Matins,  Lauds  and  the  lesser 
hours,  as  well  as  the  Hymns  of  the  Common,  and  also  the 
prper  ones,  both  of  th  seasons  and  the  saints,  throughout 
the  year,  so  as  by  means  of  the  table  prefixed,  to  serve  as 
a  complete  manual  of  devotional  poetry  for  every  day,  and 
for  all  holy-days  and  saints'  days  of  the  ecclesiastical  year 

"  It  has  therefore  been  transferred  entire  and  unchanged 
(save  in  a  few  unimportant  points)  to  the  present  collec- 
tion, of  which  it  forms  the  first  part  under  the  title  of  the 
'  Sacred  Year/ 

'  The  second  part  of  this  publication  comprises  a  selec- 


140  American  Catholic  Historical  Society 

tion  of  Hymns  and  Anthems  for  particular  occasions  ot" 
devotion,  from  various  approved  sources — chiefly  "Jesus 
and  Mary,  or  Catholic  Hymns  "  by  the  Rev.  F.  W.  Faber, 
(London  1849)  and  Hymns  of  the  Heart  by  Matthew 
Brydges,  Esq.,  both  of  them  the  contributions  of  the  taste, 
genius  and  piety  of  their  authors  to  the  service  of  the 
Church,  to  which  the  mercy  of  God  has  led  their  wander- 
ing feet,  and  the  '  Catholic  Choralist '  by  the  Rev.  Wm. 
Young  (Dublin,  1842.) 

"  The  third  part  is  devoted  to  poetry  of  a  strictly  devo- 
tional cast." 

In  addition  to  this  interesting,  though  lengthy  preface, 
there  is  another  written  by  Edward  Caswall,  M.  A.,  for  his 
"  Lyra  Catholica,"  from  which  a  few  illuminating  para- 
graphs may  well  be  quoted. 

"  As  respects  the  hymns  in  general,  it  may  be  useful  to 
remark  that  the  greater  number  of  them  appear  to  have  been 
originally  written,  not  with  a  view  to  private  reading,  but 
for  the  purpose  of  being  sung  to  the  beautiful  ecclesiastical 
melodies  by  Monastic  and  other  Religious  Bodies  at  their 
Office  in  Choir.  This  circumstance  will  serve  to  explain  a 
few  scattered  expressions  which  otherwise  might  seem  un- 
real ;  as,  for  instance,  where  allusions  occur  to  the  practice 
of  rising  at  midnight  to  sing  praises  to  God,  and  if  on  the 
other  hand,  some  few  of  the  Hymns  may  so  far  appear  less 
adapted  to  the  use  of  persons  living  in  the  world,  it  is  our 
gain  surely,  on  the  other  hand,  thus,  by  occasional  glimpses, 
to  be  reminded  of  that  more  perfect  life,  which  has  never 
ceased  to  be  a  reality  in  the  Catholic  Church. 

"  Another  advantage,  which  we  owe,  doubtless  in  a 
measure  to  the  same  circumstance,  an  advantage  not  to  be 
despised  in  a  sentimental  age,  is  the  exceedingly  plain  and 
practical  character  of  these  Hymns.  Written  with  a  view  to 
constant  daily  use,  they  aim  at  something  more  than  merely 
exciting  the  feelings.     They  have  a  perpetual  reference  to 


Notes  on  a  Few  Old  Catholic  Hymn  Books       141 

action.  Their  character  is  eminently  objective.  Their 
tendency  is  to  take  the  individual  out  of  himself,  to  set  be- 
fore him  in  turn  all  the  varied  and  sublime  objects  of  Faith, 
and  to  blend  him  with  the  universal  family  of  the  Faith- 
ful." 

There  is  a  table  showing  the  "  Proper  Hymn  "  for  every 
day  throughout  the  year,  a  calendar  of  feasts  and  a  good 
index,  so  that  it  is  very  easy  to  find  any  hymn  in  the  col- 
lection. 

There  are  about  two  hundred  hymns  in  the  "  Sacred 
Year  " — certainly  a  great  treasure  house  of  devotion. 

The  second  part  of  this  volume  is  made  up  of  selections 
from  various  sources.  Fathers  Faber,  and  Crashaw. 
Brydges,  Young  and  Dryden  are  all  represented  by  one  or 
more  hymns  and  there  are  also  some  few  by  Protestant 
authors,  such  as  "Rock  of  Ages  Cleft  For  Me;"  though 
the  word  cleft  is  erroneously  printed  rent,  by  the  Rev.  Aug- 
ustus Toplady,  a  Protestant  minister ;  Cennick's  "  Lo !  He 
Comes  With  Clouds  Descending;"  that  beautiful  hymn 
"  Jesus  I  My  Cross  Have  Taken "  by  the  Rev.  Henry 
Francis  Lyte;  and  Wesley's  "  Soldiers  of  Christ  Arise." 

Among  the  devotional  poetry  is  given  that  fine  poem  of 
Father  Faber 

"  O,  it  is  hard  to  work  for  God, 
To  rise  and  take  His  part 
Upon  the  battlefield  of  earth 
And  not  sometimes  lose  heart." 

and  its  beautiful  concluding  stanza: 

"  For  right  is  right,  since  God  is  God, 
And  right  the  day  must  win, 
To  doubt  would  be  disloyalty, 
To  falter  would  be  sin." 

Countless  children  have  no  doubt  sung  that  most  attractive 
Hymn  of  Father  Faber 


142  American  Catholic  Historical  Society 

"  Dear  Angel  ever  at  my  side, 
How  loving  must  thou  be 
To  leave  thy  home  in  Heaven  to  guide 
A  little  child  like  me." 

Thomas  Moore's  "  Thou  art  O  God,  the  Life  and  Light," 
and  Gerald  Griffin's  "  Sister  of  Charity  "  are  both  in  the  col- 
lection. 

The  "  Lyra  Catholica  "  has  no  music  but  it  is  one  of  the 
most  valuable  hymn  books  in  the  Society's  library. 

The  "  Catholic  Vocalist,"  published  by  Henry  T.  Rocholl, 
in  Philadelphia  in  i860,  must  also  be  mentioned,  as  it  is 
owned  by  the  Society.  It  is  elaborately  gotten  up  with  an 
attractive  title  page  and  every  hymn  is  set  to  music,  the 
melody  and  also  an  appropriate  accompaniment  being  given. 
The  majority  of  the  hymns  are  those  to  the  Virgin  Mary, 
few  of  any  note  being  omitted. 

Any  one  familiar  with  the  old-time  hymns  will  readily 
recognize  all  the  favorites,  such  as  "  Gentle  Star  of  Ocean," 
"Behold  the  Month  of  Mary,"  "Hail  Queen  of  the 
Heavens  "  which  is  arranged  for  four  voices,  as  indeed  are 
a  number  of  the  selections.  "  Hail  Virgin,  Dearest  Mary," 
which  generations  of  children  have  sung,  the  "Ave  Maris 
Stella"  as  a  quartette,  and  the  "  Macula  Non  Est  in  Te" 
(this  latter  being  sung  to  the  Septette  in  Donizetti's  Opera 
of  "Lucia  di  Lammermoor."  "  Maffio  son  Io  Orsini  "). 
Indeed  very  many  of  the  hymns  in  this  "  Catholic  Vocalist  " 
are  undoubtedly  taken  from  the  operas  which  were  popular 
at  the  time  the  book  was  published. 

There  are  several  Litanies  of  Loreto,  and  the  Dies  Irae, 
Adeste  Fideles  and  Hymns  to  St.  Patrick,  St.  Felix,  St. 
Aloysius  and  St.  Joseph. 

In  addition  to  the  music  for  four  voices,  there  are  solos, 
duets,  trios  and  choruses,  but  there  is  an  absolute  lack  of 
information  as  to  composers  of  either  words  or  music,  not 


Notes  on  a  Few  Old  Catholic  Hymn  Books       143 

an  uncommon  defect,  however,  in  the  generality  of  hymn 
books.  Dates  are  also  very  often  lacking,  especially  in 
music  published  in  separate  sheets,  which  makes  it  difficult 
to  determine  the  time  of  publication  with  certainty. 

The  Society  owns  a  few  other  hymn  books,  such  as  the 
Kyriale,  a  complete  Liturgical  Manual  of  Gregorian  Chant, 
one  volume  having  the  square,  another  the  round  notes. 

Another  possession  of  the  Society  is  a  "  Miserere  for 
five  Solo  Voices  and  Chorus,  by  Cavaliere  G.  Capocci, 
Transcribed  and  Edited  by  Edward  F.  MacConigle,  pub- 
lished at  252  S.  4th  St.,  Philadelphia  and  Copyrighted  in 
1884. 

All  the  hymn  books  which  are  the  property  of  the  Society 
are  interesting  and  they  all  contain  many  fine  Church  hymns. 
Naturally  many  of  the  hymns  are  found  repeated  in  the 
various  books,  though  each  book  has  a  number  which  are 
not  duplicated  in  the  others,  and  they  are  all  a  valuable 
part  of  the  Library  of  the  Society. 


KNIGHTS  OF  COLUMBUS  WAR  ACTIVITIES  IN 
PHILADELPHIA 


BY  EDWARD  J.  GALBALLY 


[Names  and  statistics  given  in  the  following  account  of  the  welfare 
work  performed  by  the  Philadelphia  Knights  of  Columbus  during  the 
war  and  the  active  period  of  demobilization  of  the  troops,  are  drawn 
from  the  official  K.  C  records.  It  may  be  that  in  the  after  years  this 
practical  manifestation  of  Catholic  public  spirit  will  be  ignored  or 
questioned.  In  the  past  other  good  work  done  by  Catholics  for  the 
common  weal  has  suffered  this  fate.  It  is  for  the  purpose  of  keeping 
the  record  intact  and  making  it  available  for  future  use,  if  occasion 
offers,  that  this  brief  chapter  has  been  prepared  and  is  here  published.] 

I.  Campaigning  for  Liberty  Loans,  Victory  Loans  and 

War  Chest. 

Patriotic  services  rendered  by  the  Philadelphia  member- 
ship of  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  as  distinct  from  the 
national  undertakings  of  the  Order  under  government  com- 
mission, had  their  inception  early  in  the  year  191 8.  From 
the  very  moment  of  the  declaration  of  war  by  the  United 
States,  the  Philadelphia  Knights  had  individually  taken 
their  part  in  the  various  duties  incumbent  upon  them  as 
loyal  citizens.  As  a  distinct  Philadelphia  body,  however, 
they  were  not  mustered  into  service  until  the  Third  Liberty 
Loan  Committe  called  for  their  aid.  In  answer  to  that 
summons  a  meeting  was  held  in  the  Red  Room  of  the 
Bellevue-Stratford  Hotel,  March  22,  191 8,  and  the  local 
Knights  of  Columbus  Committee  on  War  Activities  was 
then  established.  The  members  present  on  that  occasion 
unanimously  selected  Mr.  John  V.  Loughney,  who  is  Mas- 
ter of  the  Fourth  Degree  for  the  Eastern  District  of  Penn- 
sylvania and  Delaware,  as  Chairman  of  the  newly-created 


